Cadet Joseph Pirri was born in Akron Ohio on December 30, 1983. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 81T, Terrain Analyst, and attended basic training at FT. Leonard Wood, Missouri in February 2003. He served on active duty until February 2006. In 2009, Cadet Pirri joined the U.S. Army reserve where he continues to serve today. In May 2015, he will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying. He will then enter active duty Army as a 2nd LT in the Medical Service Corps where he aspires to be a MEDEVAC pilot.

While on active duty, Cadet Pirri served with the 70th Engineer Company/29th Engineer Battalion at FT. Shafter, Hawaii. During his time in this unit, he served on missions in Korea, FT. Drum, and Iraq. During his time in the Army reserve, Cadet Pirri served with E company/1/390th regiment in the 98th Division. While assigned to this unit, he primarily served as a Drill Sergeant at FT. Leonard Wood in both the 31st and 35th Engineer Battalions.

His awards and decorations include: Army Achievement Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (2); Army Service Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; Driver and Mechanic Badge (W); Drill Sergeant Badge.

Cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) Michael Patacca

Cadet Michael Patacca was born in Mayfield, Ohio on February 20, 1992. He is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. He enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in September of 2011 as a 19K, Armor Crewman. He went to OSUT (One Station Unit Training) at Ft. Benning, GA. He then served with D Co 1/145th Armor Regiment until he was contracted on February 21, 2014. While serving with D Co, he was a driver and loader for M1A1 SA Abrams tank. Cadet Patacca now serves with the 812th Engineers (SAPPER) as a cadet. He hopes to commission as 2LT active duty Armor in May 2016.

His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Ohio Army National Guard Basic Training Ribbon, and German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Bronze).

Cadet Command Sergeant Major Peter Rainey

Cadet Peter Rainey enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in March 2011. He attended AIT at FT Lee Virginia and became a 92F, Petroleum Supply Specialist. Cadet Rainey served in the Army Reserves for two years in the 192 Quartermaster Company in North Canton Ohio and achieved the rank of Specialist.

In Spring of 2012 Cadet Rainey enrolled in the University of Akron and joined the Army ROTC Program. He is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems Networking. He will achieve his bachelor’s degree and commission as a 2LT in the Spring of 2016.

Cadet S-1 Personnel Officer Ryan Pearce

Cadet Ryan Pearce was born in Lake County, Ohio on March 5th, 1993. He graduated fromRiverside High School in 2011 and will graduate from the University of Akron in August 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. He will subsequently commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Ohio Army National Guard as a Medical Service Corps Officer. Cadet Pearce is a member of the Honors College and the American Chemical Society Student Chapter and actively participates in undergraduate research. He aspires to further his education in medicine where he wishes to practice as an Army physician.

Cadet S-2 Intelligence Officer Trevor Holdsworth

Cadet Trevor holdsworth was born in Canton Ohio on February 23, 1993. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 88M, Motor Transport Operator, and attended basic training at FT. Jackson, South Carolina in 2012 then attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at FT. Leonard Wood Missouri in 2013. In December 2015, he will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in History.

After AIT, Cadet Holdsworth served with the 371st Sustainment Brigade / 112th Transportation Battalion / 1483rd Transportation Company in Toledo Ohio. After becoming a cadet, Cadet Holdsworth was assigned to the 1484th Transportation Company where he remains to this day.

His awards and decorations include: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Ohio Basic Training Completion Ribbon, Ohio National Guard Award of Merit, and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Ribbon.

Cadet S-3 Operations Officer Tyler Miller

Cadet Tyler Miller was born in Wooster Ohio on March 19th 1993. Upon graduating from West Holmes High School in May of 2011, he was awarded a four year Army ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Akron. In May of 2016 he will graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering and will be pursuing a active duty commission as an Engineer Officer.

While serving as a cadet within the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion, CDT Miller has participated in numerous training opportunities that the program has to offer. He was an active member with Ranger Company, serving as the executive officer his sophomore year and the commanding officer his junior year. He also participated in the Army ROTC’s varsity sport, Ranger Challenge, both his sophomore and junior year. CDT Miller is currently the Battalion S-3 Operations Officer.

His awards and decorations include: German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) Excellent rating and was ranked within the top five within his platoon.

Cadet Assistant S-3 Operations Officer Tanner Bleedorn

Cadet Bleedorn is the assistant S-3 for the battalion. He is from Columbus, Ohio but was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 31st, 1992. He attended Olentangy High school and graduated in 2011 and then enrolled and attended Ashland University for 2 and a half years before he transferred to the University of Akron for ROTC. He is now majoring in Economics and in December 2015 he will graduate as a second lieutenant of the US Army. He wishes to branch Military Intelligence when he commissions.

Cadet S-4 Logistics Officer Ramon Hemerlein

Cadet Ramon Hemerlein was born in Solon, Ohio. He enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard as a SMP Cadet in January of 2012. In May of 2012 he went to Army Basic Combat Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He attended the Leadership Development Assessment Course, and Leadership Training Course at Ft Knox, KY in June of 2014. While at the Leadership Training Course he was mentor to younger cadets training them in Warrior Tasks and Leadership. He now serves in the 583rd MP CO as a assistant Platoon Leader.

In May 2015 Cadet Hemerlein will graduate with a BA Degree in Political Science with minors in Homeland Security, International Politics, and Military Science. Upon Graduation Cadet Hemerlein will be commissioned into the Infantry Branch.

Cadet Assistant S-4 Logistics Officer Cadet Nwiah

Cadet Nwiah was born in Ghana on January 16 1982.He was enlisted into the United State Army Reserve as an Automated Logistics Specialist (92A), and attended Basic Combat Training at FT Sill, Oklahoma and FT. Lee Virginia for his Advance Individual Training in 2011. He enrolled into the program as an SMP Cadet and continues to pursue his Masters in Political Science (MA)-Security Track. In May 2015, Cadet Nwiah will commission as an Armor officer, in the United State Army. He will then enter Active Duty as a 2LT.

During his time with the Army Reserve, Cadet Nwiah, served with 454th Transportation Company.

Cadet S-5 Civil Affairs Officer Molly Kohler

Cadet Molly Kohler was born in Youngstown, Ohio on July 10, 1993. She joined The University of Akron’s Army ROTC program in 2013. She has attended Leader’s Training Course and Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Nurses Summer Training Program at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. In May 2015, she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She will then enter active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. She aspires to one day be an OB/Labor and Delivery Nurse Practitioner.

Information Technology Officer

Cadet Captain (c/CPT) Faaress Parham

Cadet Parham was born in Cleveland Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2012, and attended basic training at FT. Jackson, South Carolina in May 2013. In December 2015, he will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems.

Cadet Parham served with the 145th Armored Regiment, and currently serves with the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).

Cadet Leadership

These fine individuals have been selected to ensure the well being of the Cadet Corps. They make up the Battalion Staff that does the bulk of the planning process for the Battalion.